Solar panels - Mono or Poly? What you need to know

Solar panels come in many different types, but the most important categories are mono-crystalline solar panels (mono) and polycrystalline solar panels (poly).

In many ways, they are the same:

- Both panels capture energy from the sun and turn it into electricity

- Both are made from silicon

- Both are often made by the same manufacturers

- Both can be good choices

- Both have a long life span

There are a few key differences however. Mono-crystalline solar panels have solar cells made from a single crystal of silicon (‘mono’ – single), while polycrystalline solar panels have solar cells made from many silicon fragments melted together (‘poly’ – many).

image: Energysage.com

Mono

Mono-crystalline panels can be recognised by a black-ish colour and are generally more efficient than polycrystalline panels and have sleeker aesthetics. Mono-crystalline cells are generally more expensive, but will produce more power in a given space, e.g. if your roof space is restricted. Mono-crystalline cells perform slightly better in heat and lower light intensities.

Poly

Polycrystalline solar panels can be recognised by their blue-ish colour and generally have lower efficiencies compared to mono-crystalline panels, but have a lower price point. Most people use polycrystalline panels at the moment.